Determinants of Redistributive Politics: An Empirical Analysis of Land Reforms in West Bengal, India

Pranab Bardhan and Dilip Mookherjee

American Economic Review, 2010, vol. 100, issue 4, 1572-1600

Abstract: We investigate political determinants of land reform implementation in the Indian state of West Bengal. Using a village panel spanning 1974-1998, we do not find evidence supporting the hypothesis that land reforms were positively and monotonically related to control of local governments by a Left Front coalition vis-à-vis the right-centrist Congress party, combined with lack of commitment to policy platforms. Instead, the evidence is consistent with a quasi-Downsian theory stressing the role of opportunism (reelection concerns) and electoral competition. (JEL D72, O13, O17, Q15)

JEL-codes: D72 O13 O17 Q15 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2010
Note: DOI: 10.1257/aer.100.4.1572
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (67)

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